A local authority member is researching the demand for level access showers by Occupational Therapists for council owned dwellings. During the review of their Capital Projects budget and in particular the Adaptations budget, they have noticed an increasing volume of requests for Level Access Showers being recommended by Occupational Therapists for tenants.
They’d be interested to know if other stock holding councils are experiencing the same increase in requests. If they have, have they looked at mechanisms for reducing the costs, for example when replacing bathroom fittings – installing “plug in” baths and wet room type flooring that would enable if necessary the bath to be easily removed, and shower facilities installed using the pre-installed plumbing underneath the bath and flooring. Or by having a policy of only installing showers in flats that are not designated for use by families.
They have a short timescale for this piece of research and would be keen to know:
- Has your council noticed an increase in requests for level access showers over the last three years?
- Has your council considered or introduced any mechanisms to reduce the costs and for dealing with the requests for level access showers?
- If so, what mechanisms have been considered or put in place and have they been cost saving?
Can you help? Let us know below.
Author: Suzy Histon
Good morning, we have had a response to your question:
There has been no tangible increase in the number of bathroom adaptations but then again there is no definitive benchmark either. A+A is an on demand service that is entirely unpredictable.
This question I think is aimed more towards strategy and planning for info around any generic build specs that might facilitate ‘plug and play’ adaptations in new builds and whether there could be or has been any perceived cost saving associated with this. This is not my service area so I can’t comment.
We can also only answer as a district council without a social care responsibility. Larger unitary authorities may be able to provide more concise answers.
At TDC. A&A FFS adaptations are always done retrospectively into predominantly aged housing stock of differing design and with varying accessibility.
Some wet floors are naturally drained but many need pumped waste systems which would negate any generic plug and play bathroom systems.
Residents are given a choice of colours for decor, tiles and floor coverings at install and at repair and refurbishment intervals. Plug and play might restrict this option for our residents.
If a wet draining floor with a bath installed upon it was to require replacement or a sub floor repair due to water ingress, which is common, the bath would need to be removed and replaced or reinstated as a function of this repair. This would be more expensive than a singular wet floor repair.
Walls and cupboards are often removed as a function of creating a safe and suitable bathing environment so adaptations often require repositioning and sizing of basins, rads and WC’s. These items have their own supply and discharge requirements and cannot therefore be plug and play.
Our hard water will usually make a floor exceptionally unsightly and often unrepairable, especially where residents are unable to maintain an effective cleaning regime. This leads to degradation and frequent vinyl renewals in Thanet . Floor vinyls are known to retain their aesthetic and last longer in soft water areas.
Conversely, if we receive OT recommendations to install a bath onto an existing wet floor, usually as a further adaptation for people with behavioural or medical issues. We will where possible retain the wet floor element below the installed bath so that it can be reverted back again more cost effectively if required. These requests are however rare, perhaps 0-2 per year and are wholly directed by OT recommendations. During my watch we have not reverted any properties back to FFS only.